Discover factors that have led to the resurgence of White Supremacy in the U.S., and learn what mental health professionals can do to influence it.

If we have any hope of healing these divides, we need to start somewhere and begin to understand them. There's much more to be said on this topic than we could cover in just an hour, however, it's a start… may the elements we did discuss pave the way for the other elements we will discuss.

Interview-style, with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • Course Description

    Regarding the resurgence of White Supremacy: How did we get here, and what do we, as mental health professionals, do about it? This fast-paced interview course will help improve clinical understanding of the white supremacist violence movement, as well as discuss treatment approaches and prevention efforts. Dr. Van Brunt reviews both the escalation factors and protective factors for extremist violence, and identifies motivations and causes of this increase in extremist, violent ideology.

  • Learning Objectives

    Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: Describe three ways our current culture and the rise of social media have influenced the exposure to violent extremism; List three risk and three protective factors for extremist violence; Recite two therapeutic techniques that are useful when working with clients who express extremist ideologies 


    Target Audience and Instructional Level
    This course is intended for psychologists, therapists, social workers, clinical counselors, and addiction counselors. Instructional level: Introductory & Intermediate

  • How To Take This Course

    In order to receive a certificate of completion reflecting the associated CE credit hour, you must:
    #1: Have an active paid Clearly Clinical membership
    #2: Listen to the corresponding course podcast
    #3: Achieve a passing grade on the post-presentation test (the test has up to ten questions and you must earn a score of at least 80%; users can re-test up to three times. After three attempts, users are advised to re-listen to the audio course in its entirety and then subsequently re-test. Psychologists who are seeking CE credit may not be awarded credit if they attempt to pass the post-test more than three times.)
    #4: Complete the requested course evaluation.

    Course elements (including the course audio, post-test, and requested course evaluation) can be completed on a computer or mobile device via your Clearly Clinical account.

  • An Additional Note

    This course discusses prospective therapeutic interventions that have been shown to be effective with individuals who may be at risk for extremist violence. Special attention should be paid to how power dynamics may play out in therapy with this population, and the risks and benefits of therapy. Differences and/or similarities between therapist and client and/or individual factors may result in a treatment failure or loss of control by either or both people (therapist and/or client). Therapists are encouraged to consider the concept of informed consent, including but not limited to the appropriateness of referring out, educating the client that they can choose a therapist of the same or differing characteristics if they prefer, etc.

  • Course Format

    This high-quality and interesting course contains a one-hour, non-interactive audio podcast presentation which is available for free via all major public podcast providers. You can also listen to and download the file via our course player.

  • Certificate Access Details

    Once you've completed the course, your certificate will automatically populate in the 'Certificate' section of your account; it will also be emailed to you. Access to completion certificate will expire 365 days after issuance. Course certificates will be on file for ten (10) years from date of course completion.

  • Commercial Support

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, content, sponsor, or instructor. Dr. Van Brunt mentions some of his own materials as potential resources for further learning.

  • Accommodations

    If you have special needs or need an accommodation, please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to assist you.

What Your Colleagues Have to Say About This Course

Comprehensive and Treatment-Oriented Approach

Stacy Papangelis

Brian is an excellent presenter, very-well organized and informed about reorganizing understanding of threat assessment, and how to treat a population with crystallized beliefs that justify violence.

Brian is an excellent presenter, very-well organized and informed about reorganizing understanding of threat assessment, and how to treat a population with crystallized beliefs that justify violence.

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10 stars

Christina Eilers

So timely, so necessary to discuss from both personal and clinical standpoint. Checking out the website, order the books, loving the extra resources provided. This speaker was excellent.

So timely, so necessary to discuss from both personal and clinical standpoint. Checking out the website, order the books, loving the extra resources provided. This speaker was excellent.

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Of course with recent events this title captured me.

Karolee Alexander

Excellent info that I can pass on to my clients and refer them to this course.

Excellent info that I can pass on to my clients and refer them to this course.

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Interviewee & Interviewer

Dr. Brian Van Brunt

Extremism and Threat Management Expert

Dr. Brian Van Brunt has worked in the counseling field for more than 25 years, and specializes in educational counseling, behavioral intervention and support, and issues related to mental health and alcohol/substance abuse by students. He served as Director of Counseling at New England College and Western Kentucky University. He is a Partner with TNG and serves as the President of the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association (NABITA). Dr. Van Brunt is also a prolific writer, having authored numerous books, book chapters, and articles. He has additionally produced various assessment instruments, video training materials, and is a blogger and photographer during his spare time. Please visit him at BrianVanBrunt.com, Dr. Van Brunt’s Blog, and Dr. Van Brunt’s Books.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias, MS, LMFT

Interviewer & Clearly Clinical Founder

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Founder and President of Clearly Clinical. She has specializations in Clinical Documentation, Best Practice, and Utilization Review, and works closely with clinical teams across the US as a trainer and national conference presenter; Beth was formerly an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate Psychology and Education department. Licensed in California and Oregon, she provides therapy via her private practice to young adult and adult clients, members of the LGBTQ population, and those with addictive disorders. She has two young children, a super cool spouse who helps out with Clearly Clinical's tech, and a rescue dog.

Why is Clearly Clinical the nation's premier CE provider?

  • CONVENIENT: All courses are 1-hour podcast episodes, available on all public podcast platforms

  • AFFORDABLE: We offer quality Ce courses through a reasonably-priced membership

  • SOCIALLY-RESPONSIBLE: We donate to The Trevor Project for LGBTQIA+ youth suicide prevention

  • WOMEN-OWNED: We are founded and run by Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • DIVERSE: We highlight expert presenters from historically-marginalized communities


Quick Note: Are you confused about the difference between a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and a Continuing Education (CE) Credit Hour?  You're not the only one! Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for clarification!